The stunning riverside town of Kingston upon Thames is the setting for a fortnight of street theatre, cultural events and heritage festivals celebrating the lifeblood of the town. Events include the Kingston Korea Festival and a re-enactment of the last pubic ducking in the Thames in 1745.

Kingston River Festival is part of Totally Thames, an annual celebration of the River Thames with a creative and diveerse programme that inspires, connects and enthrals.

Kingston River Festival runs from Saturday 7 to Sunday 22 September.

Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 September: Thames 1745, Dave Diamond
Re-enacting a true story from 1745, Dave Diamond will bring to life the last known ducking in the Thames that took place here in Kingston. With circus acts, an essence of pantomime and a live act of underwater escapology, this fun street theatre will delight audiences of all ages! Performances at 1.30 and 3.30pm at Kingston Market Place.

Thursday 12 September, 6-7pm: Kingston Tour Guides’ River Walk Pageant
Enjoy an immersive historical experience and learn all about our beautiful town with the Kingston Tour Guides, who, dressed in Edwardian costume, will bring the town’s historical figures to life with a tour themed around Jerome K. Jerome’s famous story, Three Men in a Boat which begins and finishes in Kingston.
Meeting point: Kingston Market Place

Saturday 14 September: Kingston Korea Festival and Harvest Fest
A true celebration of Korean culture, Kingston Korea Festival and Harvest Fest is a free family-oriented event for all to enjoy.

This year’s highlight will be a community dance project led by The Move, a professional dance company from South Korea in collaboration with LOKO (London KPop Dance Workshop), a well-established London dance workshop company.

Also on the day, the Master of Kimchi Making, H.Y.Lee and the World Institute of Kimchi (WIKIM) are coming back to demonstrate how to make authentic Kimchi, plus there will be various events and activities to get involved in, including paper lantern making and the opportunity to try on traditional Korean costume.
Location: Kingston Market Place

Go with the Flow in Kingston Photography Competition
What better way to celebrate the Thames in Kingston that through the unique perspective of photography? This summer we’re teaming up with Jessops Kingston to launch a photo competition and exhibition, which will be on display in Kingston town centre in September.

The Go With The Flow Photo Exhibition will celebrate what Kingstonians love about the river, whether that be ecological, sporting activity, cultural and community events, its landscape or anything else that inspires us.

Kingston River Festival is part of Totally Thames 2019 that runs from 1-30 September.